Golf putting training device

ABSTRACT

A putting training device includes a flagstick, a tape measure, and a storage cup that holds the tape measure when rolled. The flagstick inserts into a putting cup ferrule. The tape measure has distance markings and is rotatably mounted on the flagstick. The storage cup is mounted on the flagstick end opposite to the ferrule. The device may be used to train a golfer in putting by extending the tape measure from the flagstick, marking points on a circle at a predetermined practice distance placing a golf ball at each point; and striking the ball toward the putting cup. This training aid helps a player calibrate their putts with the conditions of the green, to practice putts that break from right to left or break from left to right as well as downhill putts and uphill putts, and to help with lag putting from long distances on the green.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisionalapplication No. 63/236,378, filed Aug. 24, 2021, the contents of whichare herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to golf and, more particularly, to aputting training device.

As a player learns to play golf, it is necessary to practice a specificputting distance and breaks on the practice green. The lower the numberof putts needed, the lower (i.e., better) your overall score will be. Aputt requires different speeds at different distances. Also, each golfcourse has their green set up differently and may run fast or slowdepending on multiple factors. There currently is not any trainingdevice to help improve putting from short and long distances bymeasuring out distances from the hole.

As can be seen, there is a need for a training device to aid golfers inimproving their putts.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a putting training device isprovided, comprising: a flagstick having a first end configured toinsert into a putting cup ferrule; a tape measure with predetermineddistance markings having a first tape end rotatably mounted on theflagstick; and a storage cup mounted on a second end of the flagstickopposite the first end, said storage cup being operative to accommodatethe tape measure in a rolled condition.

In another aspect of the present invention, a putting training method isprovided, comprising: providing a putting training device comprising aflagstick having a first end configured to insert into a putting cupferrule within a putting cup and a tape measure with predetermineddistance markings rotatably mounted on the flagstick; inserting theflagstick into the putting cup ferrule; extending the tape measure fromthe flagstick; identifying a circle at a predetermined practice distancefrom the putting cup using the predetermined distance markings; markingpoints along a circumference of the circle; placing a golf ballsequentially at the points marked; and striking the golf ball toward theputting cup.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the presentinvention will become better understood with reference to the followingdrawings, description, and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a golf putting training aid according toan embodiment of the present invention, shown in use;

FIG. 2 is a detail view thereof;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view thereof;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view thereof, shown in a storage position;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view thereof, shown in use; and

FIG. 6 is a sectional view thereof, taken along line 6-6 from FIG. 2 .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplatedmodes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. Thedescription is not to be taken in a limiting sense but is made merelyfor the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention,since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Broadly, one embodiment of the present invention is a putting trainingdevice comprising a tape measure rotatably mounted on a flagstick with astorage cup on an upper end thereof.

The present invention provides a training device to reduce the number ofputts to get the golf ball into the hole, thus lowering the user'sscore. The user may easily place the training device in a hole andaccurately measure out a distance from the practice hole. It is notnecessary to walk out and guess how far away from the hole the user is.The training device aids the user in learning the putting speed to playa predetermined amount of break on putts during a round. This trainingaid helps a player calibrate their putts with the conditions of thegreen on the golf course during their round. Also, the device enablesthe player to practice putts that break from right to left or break fromleft to right as well as downhill putts and uphill putts. The inventivedevice also helps with lag putting from long distances on the green.

The inventive device is lightweight and may be stored in a golf bagduring a round.

The tape measure preferably has a grommet at a first tape end operativeto accommodate the flagstick. The grommet enables the tape measure tomove 360 degrees around the hole.

The dimensions of the device are not particularly limited. The tapemeasure may be about ¾ inches wide and may measure out about 10 feetfrom the edge of the hole. The grommet has an inner diameter at least aslarge as the diameter of the flagstick; for example, the grommet may beabout 7/16″ wide. The flagstick may be about 8 inches tall.

A method of using the training device may include the user placing thedevice in a practice green hole and removing the tape from the cup. Theuser may measure out predetermined practice distance from the edge ofthe cup and place tee or ball markers down in 4 or more spots, markingpoints along a circumference of a circle around the hole. The user mayplace golf balls at each marked location and try to putt the balls intothe practice hole. Once the user has succeeded in sinking each golf ballinto the hole using only one putt, the user may repeat the process at alonger distance from the hole. To practice lag putting, i.e., putting along distance (e.g., within 1-5 feet of the hole) to urge the golf ballcloser to the hole without it going in, the user may set a second,smaller circle at a predetermined distance from the putting cup andmodulate the striking force try to get all long putts to enter thatcircle without reaching the putting cup. In some cases, a single golfball may be placed sequentially placed at each marked position andputted toward the putting cup.

To assemble the training device, the user may put a first end of theflagstick into the putting cup ferrule and insert the flagstick throughthe tape measure grommet. The storage cup may then be installed on topof the flagstick.

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 6 , FIG. 1 shows a user 22 on a puttinggreen 24 using a training aid according to an embodiment of the presentinvention. As shown in more detail in FIGS. 2 and 3 , a putting cup 28ferrule 10 in a putting hole 26 supports a flagstick 12 configured to beinserted into the ferrule 10. The flagstick 12 has been placed through agrommet 16 in a tape measure 14, holding it in place. A storage cup 18,having a circular base and a sidewall with vertical slots or openings 20interspersed around the circumference thereof and extendingtherethrough, is mounted on top of the flagstick 12 at an end oppositethe end inserted into the ferrule.

FIG. 4 illustrates that the tape measure 14 may be rolled and placedinto the storage cup 18 which accommodates the tape measure 14 in arolled condition when not in use. The tape measure 14 may be extended toprovide predetermined distance markers 30; see FIG. 6 . The tape measure14 may be rotated to assist in placement of ball markers 32 equidistantfrom the putting hole 26, as shown in FIG. 5 .

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates toexemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may bemade without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as setforth in the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A putting training device, comprising: aflagstick having a first end configured to insert into a putting cupferrule; a tape measure with predetermined distance markings having afirst tape end rotatably mounted on the flagstick; and a storage cupmounted on a second end of the flagstick opposite the first end, saidstorage cup being operative to accommodate the tape measure in a rolledcondition.
 2. The putting training device of claim 1, wherein thestorage cup comprises a circular base and a sidewall, said sidewallhaving vertical slots extending therethrough configured to accommodatethe tape measure.
 3. The putting training device of claim 1, wherein thefirst tape end further comprises a grommet operative to rotatablyaccommodate the flagstick.
 4. A putting training method, comprising:providing a putting training device comprising a flagstick having afirst end configured to insert into a putting cup ferrule within aputting cup and a tape measure with predetermined distance markingsrotatably mounted on the flagstick; inserting the flagstick into theputting cup ferrule; extending the tape measure from the flagstick;identifying a circle at a predetermined practice distance from theputting cup using the predetermined distance markings; marking pointsalong a circumference of the circle; placing a golf ball sequentially atthe points marked; and striking the golf ball toward the putting cup. 5.The putting training method of claim 4, further comprising: identifyinga second, smaller circle at a second predetermined practice distance;and modulating a striking force to urge the golf ball to enter thesecond, smaller circle without reaching the putting cup.